FREDWESLEYCARRIER

WINTER HAVEN - Fred Wesley Carrier, 89, of Winter Haven, Florida, was claimed by the Lord on Thursday, February 7, 2013 after suffering from Alzheimer's. He was born to the late Earl and Hester Carrier, on December 16, 1923, in Decatur, Illinois. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Decatur High School in 1942 and then went on to the University of Illinois to prepare for his degree in mechanical engineering. In 1944, he was commissioned as a Cadet Midshipman in the U.S Merchant Marines serving in the Pacific and Atlantic during WW II. During the war, he was assigned to troop transport ships and experienced combat invasions in Palau, Saipan, and Iwo Jima receiving the Pacific War Zone bar and was injured in combat from a surprise attack in Saipan. A man of few words, Fred described the Iwo Jima combat as "tough". He was awarded the Atlantic War Zone bar for his service in Europe (France) and playing a role in the implementation of the Marshall Plan. In 1947, he returned to the University of Illinois where he obtained his engineering degree in 1948 being noted for the Honor Society of Mechanical Engineers and manger of the university baseball team. After obtaining his degree, he returned to sea as 3rd Engineer on an oil tanker transporting oil from Venezuela to European and U.S. ports. While on shore leave in Chicago in 1949, he met Mary who would become his future wife, and so ended is sailing career. They married in 1950 in Union City, Ind. and began his long career in engineering in Cambridge and Chillicothe, Ohio notably at the Goodyear Atomic Corp. where he worked on various nuclear projects assigned by the U.S. government. In 1961, he moved to Winter Haven, FL. and worked in differing engineering posts at the International Minerals and Chemical Corp. until his retirement in 1986. A devout Christian, Fred was one of the founding members of the St. Johns United Methodist Church in Winter Haven teaching Sunday school and participating in many church related functions including missions to South and Central America. After his retirement in 1986, Fred and Mary traveled extensively over the world to more than 60 countries, and all 50 states. He had a keen interest in biblical history participating in archeological expeditions to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Ethiopia. Fred is survived by his wife Mary of 63 years; three children, Jeffery of Naples, Florida, Allen of Hermosa Beach, California, and Nancy of San Francisco, California; three grandchildren Melanie and Jessica of Bonita Springs, Florida and Wesley of Brooklyn NY; great granddaughter Jenna; and two sisters, Emily of Spring Hill, Florida and Harriet of Canton, Michigan. Fred was predeceased by two sons, David (1969) and Robert (1999). To his character and part of the greatest generation, Fred learned the values of thrift and self-reliance stemming from the depression years, participated in a war that only his generation can comprehend, endured the loss of two sons afflicted by cerebral palsy, maintained a loving marriage of 63 years, maintained a meaningful and productive work history for over 40 years, traveled extensively, and was always close to the church and its purpose. A memorial service is being held this Friday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at St. John's Methodist Church in Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers or gifts, it is the family's wish that donations be made in his name to Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida.